Bathroom chair

Abstract

To provide a bathroom chair achieving both small width dimension as the entire chair since a bathroom is narrow, and large width dimension between both arm rests so as to allow a user to easily stand and sit.SOLUTION: A bathroom chair 10 is composed of front legs 12, rear legs 14, a seat part 16 on which a user is seated, and a pair of arm rests 24 arranged at both sides of the seat part 16. In a top face view, a maximum inner dimension L1 between the arm rests 24 is 320 mm or more, and a minimum width dimension L5 of the arm rests 24 is 35 mm or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention mainly relates to a chair used in a bathroom.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, many bathroom chairs used for nursing care and the like have been developed (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] For example, the bathroom chair disclosed in Patent Document 1 has different left and right width dimensions from its center line with respect to the shape of the armrests, and the width dimension between both armrests can be changed by exchanging the left and right armrests.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] There are various dimensional requirements for bathroom chairs. For example, "the overall width dimension of the entire chair is small because the bathroom is narrow" and "the maximum inner dimension between both armrests is large so that the bather can easily sit down and stand up".

[0006] In order to be able to select according to various dimensional requirements like this, conventional bathroom chairs were designed to belong to roughly three dimensional classifications in order from small: "compact", "middle", and "wide".

[0007] However, in conventional bathroom chairs, when the classification to which it belongs is a small size classification, the overall width dimension of the bathroom chair becomes small and the maximum inner dimension between the armrests also becomes small. For example, although the overall width dimension of the bathroom chair belongs to the "compact" classification, there has been no such case where the maximum inner dimension between the armrests belongs to the larger "middle" classification.

[0008] There can be various reasons for this, but in conventional bathroom chairs, it is considered that the biggest factor is that the armrests have only been focused on as a gripping means when the bather (hereinafter referred to as the "user") stands up or sits down.

[0009] In contrast, the inventors have developed a bathroom chair in which, by focusing on the armrests as "means for holding the user's seating position", for example, the overall width dimension is classified as "compact", but the maximum inner dimension between the two armrests is classified as "middle", or the overall width dimension is classified as "middle", but the maximum inner dimension between the two armrests is classified as "wide".

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a front leg, a rear leg, a seat on which the user sits, In top view and a pair of armrests disposed on both sides of the seat, wherein the A pair of armrests have recesses at their inner edges facing each other, Gentlely curved the armrests are rotatable in the vertical direction from a horizontal position rearward, and have a front end portion which is the end portion in the direction in which the user sitting on the seat faces, and a minimum width portion formed on the rear end side of the front end portion, the maximum inner dimension between the armrests in top view is 320 mm or more, and the minimum width dimension of the armrests in top view is 35 mm or less, the overall width dimension of the bathroom chair is 460 mm or less, ​ The maximum inner dimension is front the minimum width part spacing between each other and in a top view, the seat part has a width of the front part wider than that of the rear part, Gentlely curved widthwise convex part and has In top view, the outer end of the widthwise convex part is at the same position as the minimum width part a bathroom chair is provided.

Advantages of the Invention

[0014] According to the present invention, by defining the maximum inner dimension between the two armrests and the minimum width dimension of the armrest to be 320 mm or more and 35 mm or less, respectively, in a top view, for example, a bathroom chair in which the overall width dimension is classified as "compact" while the maximum inner dimension between the two armrests is classified as "middle", or a bathroom chair in which the overall width dimension is classified as "middle" while the maximum inner dimension between the two armrests is classified as "wide" can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] (Regarding the configuration of the bathroom chair 10) Using FIGS. 1 to 6, the configuration of the bathroom chair 10 according to the present embodiment (hereinafter, may sometimes be simply referred to as "chair 10") will be described. The chair 10 according to the present embodiment generally includes a pair of front legs 12, a pair of rear legs 14, a seat portion 16, a link connection bar 18, a link bar 20, a backrest 22, and an armrest 24. Note that the mechanism for enabling the chair 10 to be folded is not an essential component of the present invention, and the chair 10 may be a fixed type without providing a folding mechanism.

[0017] Throughout this specification, the direction in which a user sitting on the seat portion 16 of the chair 10 faces is referred to as "forward", and the opposite direction is referred to as "backward".

[0018] The front legs 12 are members formed by bending a pipe material having a circular cross-section. In the present embodiment, in the deployed state of the chair 10 (that is, the state shown in FIGS. 1 to 6), the front legs 12 extend from the rear toward the front and slightly downward in the front direction, with a backrest support portion 26, followed by a horizontal portion 28 extending in the horizontal direction, and further followed by a front leg portion 30 extending again downward in the front direction. A leg rubber 32 is attached to the lower tip of the front leg portion 30.

[0019] The pair of front legs 12 are connected to each other by a backrest attachment portion 34 in which the upper ends of the respective backrest support portions 26 extend in the horizontal direction. That is, the pair of front legs 12 in the present embodiment are formed by bending a single pipe material. Of course, the pair of front legs 12 may be configured by combining a plurality of pipe materials.

[0020] Note that the lower end portion of the front leg 12 in the present embodiment has a double pipe structure, and a plurality of height adjustment holes 38 are formed at predetermined intervals on the surface of the outer pipe 36. From the inner pipe 40, a height adjustment pin 42 is provided that can protrude from and retract into the surface of the inner pipe 40 and is fitted into any one of the height adjustment holes 38. Thereby, the length of the front leg portion 30 of the front leg 12 can be adjusted, and the height from the floor to the seat portion 16 can be adjusted.

[0021] The rear legs 14 are members formed by bending a pipe material having a circular cross-section, similar to the front legs 12. In the present embodiment, in the deployed state of the chair 10, the rear legs 14 extend from the front toward the rear, from the horizontal direction slightly downward in the rear direction, with a seat support portion 44, followed by a rear leg portion 46 extending downward in the rear direction. A leg rubber 48 is also attached to the lower tip of the rear leg portion 46. In the present embodiment, each of the rear legs 14 is composed of a separate pipe material.

[0022] Also, similar to the front legs 12, the lower end of the rear legs 14 also has a double-pipe structure. A plurality of height adjustment holes 52 are formed at predetermined intervals on the surface of the outer pipe 50. From the inner pipe 54, a height adjustment pin 56 is provided which can protrude and retract from the surface of the inner pipe 54 and can be fitted into any one of the height adjustment holes 52.

[0023] In this embodiment, the rear legs 14 are disposed more inwardly than the front legs 12. Also, the pair of front legs 12 and the pair of rear legs 14 are pivotally supported to be rotatable with respect to each other at the central portion of the horizontal portion 28 of the front legs 12 and the tip portion of the seat support portion 44 of the rear legs 14. Specifically, a front leg side pivot support hole 58 is formed at the central portion of the horizontal portion 28 of the front legs 12, and a rear leg side pivot support hole 60 is formed at the tip portion of the seat support portion 44 of the rear legs 14. By inserting a pivot pin 62 therethrough, the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 can rotate freely with respect to each other. Also, as shown in FIG. 6, the pivot support position of the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 in this embodiment (that is, the position where the front leg side pivot support hole 58 and the like are formed) is at an intermediate position between the front end of the front legs 12 and the rear end of the rear legs 14. Note that the position of the front leg side pivot support hole 58 for pivotally supporting the rear legs 14 on the front legs 12 is not limited to the central portion of the horizontal portion 28 of the front legs 12 as described above. For example, a front leg side pivot support hole 58 may be provided on the front side of the horizontal portion 28, that is, at a position close to the front leg portion 30.

[0024] Also, in this embodiment, a seat pivot support hole 66 into which a seat pivot pin 64 for pivotally supporting the seat 16 on the rear legs 14 is inserted is formed slightly rearward of the rear leg side pivot support hole 60 in the seat support portion 44 of the rear legs 14. That is, the pair of rear legs 14 in this embodiment serve as "support pivot legs" for pivotally supporting the seat 16 rotatably. Also, the position where the rear legs 14 are pivotally supported with respect to the front legs 12 (for example, the position of the rear leg side pivot support hole 60) is in front of the position where the seat 16 is pivotally supported with respect to the support pivot legs (that is, the rear legs 14) (that is, the seat pivot support hole 66).

[0025] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, at the position of the seat support hole 66 in the seat support portion 44 of the rear leg 14, a front leg support portion 63 that supports the horizontal portion 28 of the front leg 12 from below when the chair 10 is deployed protrudes outward. This front leg support portion 63 is configured by protruding a part of the above-described seat support pin 64 outward from the rear leg 14 and inserting this seat support pin 64 through the center of a pipe-shaped front leg support member 65.

[0026] The seat portion 16 is a member having a seat surface for a user to sit on, and is rotatable with respect to the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 between a horizontal state and a flipped-up state. Specifically, as described above, the seat portion 16 is rotatably supported by a seat support pin 64 between a pair of rear legs 14 which are support shaft legs. For this reason, seat support pin holes 68 for receiving the seat support pins 64 are respectively formed on both rear side surfaces of the seat portion 16 in the present embodiment. Further, in the present embodiment, the seat surface shape of the seat portion 16 is such that the width of the front portion is relatively wide and conversely the width of the rear portion is relatively narrow (see FIGS. 1 and 4). That is, the seat portion 16 has convex portions 108 that extend outward from both side edges in its plan view.

[0027] Also, as shown in FIG. 5, a stopper 70 that engages with the link connection bar 18 is provided at the front center portion of the bottom surface of the seat portion 16 when the chair 10 is deployed and the seat portion 16 is in a horizontal state. In the present embodiment, the stopper 70 is swingably attached to the bottom surface of the seat portion 16 with its lower end portion where an engaging claw 72 is formed, and the horizontal state of the seat portion 16 can be maintained by the engaging claw 72 engaging with the link connection bar 18.

[0028] Also, a pair of brackets 78 are provided on the bottom surface of the seat portion 16 slightly forward of the position where the seat support pin hole 68 of the rear end portion is formed. This bracket 78 is respectively constituted by a pair of bracket plate members 80 that face each other in parallel, and the pair of bracket plate members 80 are arranged with a space that allows the other end portion of the link bar 20 to fit.

[0029] Note that the position where the pair of brackets 78 are provided is not limited to the front of the position where the seat support pin hole 68 at the rear end on the bottom surface of the seat portion 16 as described above is formed, and may be behind the position where the seat support pin hole 68 is formed.

[0030] Also, the seat portion 16 in the present embodiment is configured by overlapping a seat surface member formed of a relatively soft material on a seat bottom member formed of a relatively hard material. Of course, the seat portion 16 may be configured with one type of material, or may be configured with three or more types of materials.

[0031] The link connection bar 18 is a member formed by bending a solid bar having a circular cross section. One end thereof is connected to the inner surface of the portion where the horizontal portion 28 and the front leg portion 30 of one front leg 12 are connected to each other, and the other end thereof is connected to the inner surface of the portion where the horizontal portion 28 and the front leg portion 30 of the other front leg 12 are connected to each other. Further, the link connection bar 18 in the present embodiment is formed in a substantially straight line shape, but is not limited to this shape.

[0032] The engaging claw 72 of the stopper 70 in the seat portion 16 described above is engaged with the central portion of the link connection bar 18.

[0033] In this way, the pair of front legs 12 in the present embodiment are "link legs" with the link connection bar 18 installed therebetween.

[0034] The link bar 20 is a member having one end rotatably connected to the link connection bar 18 and the other end rotatably connected to the bottom surface of the seat portion 16.

[0035] Note that in the present embodiment, a reinforcing bar 21 is installed between the pair of rear legs 14 which are "support shaft legs", but this reinforcing bar 21 is not an essential component of the present invention.

[0036] The backrest 22 is a member for supporting the back of a user sitting on the seat portion 16 from behind, and as described above, it is attached to the backrest attachment portion 34 that connects the upper ends of the pair of front legs 12 to each other. Of course, the backrest 22 may be attached to, for example, the backrest support portions 26 on the pair of front legs 12, or may be attached to other members.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the backrest attachment portion 34 to which the backrest 22 is attached is formed to be curved so that its central portion 35 protrudes rearward. As a result, a gap 37 is formed between the central portion 35 and the rear surface of the backrest 22 (see FIG. 4), and when lifting and moving the chair 10, it becomes easier to insert a finger into the gap 37 to grip the central portion 35.

[0038] The armrests 24 are members for a user sitting on the seat portion 16 to rest their elbows. In the present embodiment, a pair of armrests 24 are attached so as to protrude forward from approximately the central portion in the height direction of the backrest support portions 26 on the pair of front legs 12. Further, the armrest attachment portion 98, which is the attachment portion of each armrest 24 to the front leg 12, is configured such that the tip of the armrest 24 can rotate with respect to the front leg 12, and the rotation stops at a position where the armrest 24 is substantially horizontal when the chair 10 is in the deployed state. Of course, the armrests 24 may be attached to other members.

[0039] The armrest 24 will be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the armrest 24 is generally composed of a frame 120, a pair of side covers 122, a shaft support member 124, and a cover member 126. Further, an armrest attachment bracket 130 protrudes forward from the central portion of the backrest support portion 26 on the front leg 12 to which the armrest 24 is attached. Furthermore, the armrest attachment bracket 130 is covered with a bracket cover 132.

[0040] The frame 120 is a member corresponding to the "bone" of the armrest 24, and most of it extends in the front-rear direction and is formed of a flat plate that is thin in the horizontal width direction. The frame 120 is integrally composed of this flat plate portion 134 and a clamping plate portion 136 disposed substantially parallel to the flat plate portion 134 at the rear end (the end on the side of the armrest mounting bracket 130). Note that the flat plate portion 134 and the clamping plate portion 136 are configured to be separated from each other, and the armrest mounting bracket 130 in a state where the bracket cover 132 is covered is inserted into the gap between the flat plate portion 134 and the clamping plate portion 136.

[0041] Furthermore, shaft support member insertion holes 138 for inserting the shaft support member 124 are respectively formed in the flat plate portion 134 and the clamping plate portion 136.

[0042] The pair of side covers 122 are covers disposed on both side surfaces of the cover member 126 covering the frame 120. A shaft support member insertion second hole 140 for inserting the shaft support member 124 is formed in one of the side covers 122, and a shaft support member insertion protrusion 142 into which the tip of the shaft support member 124 is inserted protrudes from the inner surface of the other side cover 122.

[0043] The shaft support member 124 is a member for rotatably attaching the armrest 24 to the armrest mounting bracket 130 protruding from the central portion of the backrest support portion 26 in the front leg 12. In this embodiment, a pin having a male screw formed at the tip is used. Of course, as long as the armrest 24 can be rotatably attached to the armrest mounting bracket 130, members other than the pin may be used.

[0044] Thus, in this embodiment, the armrest mounting portion 98 is constituted by the flat plate portion 134 and the clamping plate portion 136 of the frame 120, the pair of side covers 122, and the shaft support member 124.

[0045] The cover member 126 is a member formed of a relatively soft material (e.g., elastomer) that is used by covering the frame 120. As shown in FIG. 9, the cover member 126 according to the present embodiment has a concave portion 146 formed so as to curve inward on the inner side edge 144 facing the opposite elbow rest 24 when attached to the front leg 12. As a result, the cover member 126 has a relatively wide front end portion 148 and a minimum width portion 150 formed on the rear end side of the front end portion 148 in a plan view thereof.

[0046] Further, since the rear end portion 152 of the cover member 126 covers the portion where the sandwiching plate portion 136 of the frame 120 described above is provided, the dimension in the width direction thereof is larger than the minimum width portion 150.

[0047] Throughout this specification, the distance between the inner surfaces of the minimum width portions 150 at both elbow rests 24 in a top view (plan view) is referred to as the "maximum inner dimension L1" between the elbow rests 24 (see FIG. 4). It is preferable that this maximum inner dimension L1 is 320 mm or more. This is because by setting the maximum inner dimension L1 to 320 mm or more, most users can sit on the seat portion 16 without hitting the elbow rest 24 more than necessary.

[0048] Also, throughout this specification, the width dimension of the minimum width portion 150 at both elbow rests 24 in a top view (plan view) is referred to as the "minimum width dimension L5" of the elbow rest 24 (see FIG. 4). It is preferable that this minimum width dimension L5 is 35 mm or less.

[0049] Next, the positional relationship between the elbow rest 24, the seat portion 16, the front leg 12, and the rear leg 14 in the chair 10 will be described. FIG. 10 shows a schematic plan view when the front leg 12, the rear leg 14, and the leg rubbers 32 and 48 attached thereto are all located inside the elbow rest 24 (on the central side of the chair 10 in a plan view), so only the pair of elbow rests 24 and the seat portion 16 are drawn.

[0050] In this case, when considering the relationship between the maximum inner dimension L1 between the armrests 24 and the dimension between the outer ends of the two convex portions 108 on the seat portion 16 (hereinafter referred to as the "both-end dimension L2" of the seat portion 16), there are cases where the "maximum inner dimension L1" and the "both-end dimension L2" are the same (see Fig. 10(a)), a case where the "both-end dimension L2" is larger than the "maximum inner dimension L1" (see Fig. 10(b)), and a case where the "both-end dimension L2" is smaller than the "maximum inner dimension L1" (see Fig. 10(c)).

[0051] In addition, in the case where the "both-end dimension L2" is larger than the "maximum inner dimension L1" (see Fig. 10(b)), it is difficult to consider a case where the "both-end dimension L2" is larger than the dimension between the outer ends of the two armrests 24 (hereinafter referred to as the "outer-end dimension L3" of the armrest 24). This is because in such a case, the two armrests 24 become an obstacle and the both outer ends of the seat portion 16 cannot be effectively used, resulting in a lot of waste.

[0052] Throughout this specification, the maximum dimension in the width direction in a plan view of the entire chair 10 is referred to as the "maximum width dimension". That is, in each case shown in Fig. 10, the outer-end dimension L3 of the armrest 24 becomes the "overall width dimension" of the chair 10.

[0053] Fig. 11 shows a schematic plan view of a case where the leg rubber 32 attached to the front leg 12 and the leg rubber 48 attached to the rear leg 14 are such that the leg rubber 32 is located outside the armrest 24 (the side away from the central portion of the chair 10 in a plan view). Of course, the way of thinking is the same when the leg rubber 48 is located outside.

[0054] In this case, when considering the relationship between the maximum inner dimension L1 between the armrests 24 and the both-end dimension L2 of the seat portion 16, similar to the cases shown in Fig. 10, there are cases where the "maximum inner dimension L1" and the "both-end dimension L2" are the same (see Fig. 11(a)), a case where the "both-end dimension L2" is larger than the "maximum inner dimension L1" (see Fig. 11(b)), and a case where the "both-end dimension L2" is smaller than the "maximum inner dimension L1" (see Fig. 11(c)).

[0055] In this case as well, for the same reason as described above, it is unlikely that the "overall dimension L2 at both ends" is larger than the outer dimension L3 of the double armrest 24.

[0056] In the case of each case shown in FIG. 11, the dimension L4 between the outer ends of the leg rubbers 32 attached to the front legs 12 is the "maximum width dimension" of the chair 10. Of course, when there is no leg rubber 32, the dimension between the outer ends of the front legs 12 is the "maximum width dimension", and if the rear legs 14 are arranged with a greater interval than the front legs 12, the dimension between the outer ends of the rear legs 14 or the dimension between the outer ends of the leg rubbers 48 attached to the rear legs 14 is the "overall width dimension".

[0057] (Features of the bathroom chair 10) According to the chair 10 according to the present embodiment, by defining the maximum inner dimension L1 between the armrests 24 and the minimum width dimension L5 of the armrest 24 to be 320 mm or more and 35 mm or less, respectively, for example, a bathroom chair in which the overall width dimension is classified as "compact" while the maximum inner dimension between the two armrests is classified as "middle", or a bathroom chair in which the overall width dimension is classified as "middle" while the maximum inner dimension between the two armrests is classified as "wide" can be provided.

[0058] For example, in the case of the chair 10 with an overall width dimension of 400 mm to 410 mm of the chair 10 classified as "compact", it is conceivable to define the minimum width dimension L5 of the armrest 24 to be 35 mm or less and set the maximum inner dimension L1 between the armrests 24 to be 320 mm to 375 mm.

[0059] Also, in the case of the chair 10 with an overall width dimension of 450 mm to 460 mm of the chair 10 classified as "middle", it is conceivable to define the minimum width dimension L5 of the armrest 24 to be 35 mm or less and set the maximum inner dimension L1 between the armrests 24 to be 370 mm to 425 mm.

[0060] By adopting such armrest dimensions, it is possible to secure the maximum inner dimension L1 between the armrests 24 while sufficiently securing the overall width dimension, and the degree of design freedom can be increased.

[0061] Further, by providing the armrest 24 with a relatively wide front end portion 148 and a minimum width portion 150 formed on the rear end side of the front end portion 148, it is difficult for the torso of the user sitting on the seat portion 16 to interfere with the minimum width portion 150 of the armrest 24, and it becomes easier for the user to use the front end portion 148 of the armrest 24 as a "handhold" when standing up, and a user-friendly bathroom chair 10 can be provided.

[0062] Furthermore, by forming convex portions 108 that extend outward from both side edges on the seat portion 16 and forming concave portions 146 on the inner side edges 144 facing each other in both armrests 24, the seat portion 16 can be arranged up to near the minimum width portion 150 of the armrest 24 in a plan view of the chair 10, and the area where the user feels uneasy due to the absence of the armrest 24 and the seat portion 16 can be further reduced.

[0063] (Modification 1) In the above-described embodiment, the flat plate portion 134 of the frame 120 constituting the armrest 24 extends in the front-rear direction and is configured as a flat plate with a narrow horizontal width. However, if higher strength is required for the frame 120, as shown in FIG. 12, it is preferable to provide a predetermined bent portion 160 or the like on the flat plate portion 134 to form a shape with an increased second moment of area.

[0064] (Modification 2) In the above-described embodiment, the armrest 24 is configured by covering the frame 120 with a separate cover member 126. However, the frame 120 and the cover member 126 may be integrally formed. Further, a single member may be used to serve as both the frame 120 and the cover member 126 using a material having appropriate strength and softness on the surface.

[0065] (Modification 3) Also, in the above-described embodiment, the clamping plate portion 136 is disposed at the rear end of the frame 120, and the armrest 24 is attached to the front leg 12 by clamping the armrest mounting bracket 130 protruding from the front leg 12 between the clamping plate portion 136 and the flat plate portion 134. Conversely, the frame 120 may be composed only of the flat plate portion 134, and the armrest 24 may be attached to the front leg 12 by doubling the armrest mounting bracket 130 protruding from the front leg 12 and inserting the flat plate portion 134 therebetween.

[0066] (Modification Example 4) In the above-described embodiment, the stopper 70 is provided at the front central portion on the bottom surface of the seat portion 16, and when the seat portion 16 is in a horizontal state, the engaging claw 72 of the stopper 70 engages with the link connection bar 18, so that the horizontal state of the seat portion 16 is maintained. Instead, a stopper mechanism 200 as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 may be provided on the bathroom chair 10.

[0067] The chair 10 according to this Modification Example 1, in addition to the presence of this stopper mechanism 200, the pair of seat shaft support pins 64 inserted into both rear side surfaces of the seat portion 16 are replaced by a seat support bar 202 installed so as to extend from the seat shaft support hole 66 in one rear leg 14 to the seat shaft support hole 66 in the other rear leg 14, and the seat support bar 202 is inserted into the seat support bar insertion hole 203 formed slightly rearward of the center of the bottom surface of the seat portion 16, so that the seat portion 16 can rotate. And a bi-leg biasing mechanism 250 that biases the both legs 12 and 14 in the closing direction of the front leg 12 and the rear leg 14 is provided, which is different from the above-described embodiment.

[0068] The stopper mechanism 200 is generally composed of a lever 204, a stopper 206, a link 208, a biasing member 210, and a cover 211.

[0069] The lever 204 is a member disposed at the rear end of the seat portion 16. In a sectional view (FIG. 15), the lower end side and the front end of the lever 204 are rotatably attached to the bottom surface of the seat portion 16. Specifically, a lever rotation shaft insertion hole 214 through which a lever rotation shaft 212, which is disposed parallel to the bottom surface of the seat portion 16 and extends in the width direction of the seat portion 16, is inserted, is formed at the lower end side and the front end of the lever 204. By inserting the lever rotation shaft 212 into the lever rotation shaft insertion hole 214 formed in the lever 204, the lever 204 rotates up and down in the vertical direction toward the rear of the seat portion 16.

[0070] The stopper 206 is a member disposed on the front side of the bottom surface of the seat portion 16. The upper end side and the front end of the seat portion 16 of the stopper 206 are rotatably attached to the bottom surface of the seat portion 16. Specifically, a stopper rotation shaft insertion hole 218 through which a stopper rotation shaft 216, which is disposed parallel to the bottom surface of the seat portion 16 and extends in the width direction of the seat portion 16, is inserted, is formed at the upper end side and the front end of the seat portion 16 of the stopper 206. By inserting the stopper rotation shaft 216 into the stopper rotation shaft insertion hole 218 formed in the stopper 206, the stopper 206 rotates up and down below the seat portion 16.

[0071] Further, a stopper engaging portion 220 that engages with the link connection bar 18 is formed on the front side of the stopper 206.

[0072] The link 208 is a linear bar. One end thereof is rotatably attached to the substantially central portion in the vertical direction on the front side of the lever 204, and the other end is rotatably attached to the upper end portion on the rear side of the stopper 206. Thus, the lever 204 and the stopper 206 are interlocked (rotated) via the link 208. The length of the link 208 is set such that when the lever 204 is raised upward, the stopper 206 rotates downward, and conversely, when the lever 204 is tilted downward, the stopper 206 rotates upward.

[0073] Also, the attachment position of one end of the link 208 to the lever 204 is set such that when the lever 204 is tilted downward, the lever 204 that was above the lever rotation axis 212 is positioned below. Thus, even if the stopper 206 is biased to rotate downward by the biasing member 210, when the lever 204 is tilted downward against the biasing force to move the lever 204 below the lever rotation axis 212, it is possible to prevent the lever 204 from rotating upward by itself due to the biasing force when the hand is released.

[0074] As described above, the biasing member 210 is a member that biases the stopper 206 in the direction in which the stopper 206 rotates downward. In the present embodiment, a "coil spring" is used as the biasing member 210, and the upper end of the coil spring is fixed to the bottom surface of the seat portion 16, and the lower end biases the stopper 206. Note that the biasing member 210 is not limited to a coil spring as long as it can bias the stopper 206 in the direction in which the stopper 206 rotates downward, and other types of members such as a torsion spring can be used.

[0075] The cover 211 is a member that covers the central portion of the bottom surface of the seat portion 16. In the present embodiment, the cover 211 covers a part of the stopper 206, the biasing member 210, and the lever 204. Also, in the present embodiment, the lever rotation axis 212 is attached to the rear end surface of the cover 211.

[0076] The two-leg biasing mechanism 250 includes a two-leg biasing member 252, a two-leg biasing member locking member 254, and a two-leg biasing member insertion member 256.

[0077] The two-leg biasing member 252 is a member that generates a biasing force in the direction in which the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 close with respect to the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14. In the present embodiment, a torsion spring is used. Note that the two-leg biasing member 252 is not limited to a torsion spring as long as it can generate a biasing force in the direction in which the two legs 12 and 14 close, and other types of members can be used.

[0078] The two-leg biasing member engaging member 254 is a pair of members for engaging one end of the two-leg biasing member (torsion spring) 252. In the present embodiment, it is provided forward of the two-leg biasing member 252 and projects inward and horizontally from the horizontal portion 28 of each front leg 12 respectively.

[0079] The two-leg biasing member insertion member 256 is a member for fixedly attaching the two-leg biasing member 252 by inserting it into the central hole of the torsion spring as the two-leg biasing member 252. In the present embodiment, it is formed so as to extend inward toward the center of the seat portion 16 with the pivot pin 62 that pivotally supports the front leg 12 and the rear leg 14 rotatably.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the other end of the torsion spring constituting the two-leg biasing member 252 is attached to the seat support bar 202.

[0081] Next, the procedure for folding the chair 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIGS. 15 to 20, in the "assembled state" where the seat portion 16 is in a substantially horizontal state, the lever 204 of the stopper mechanism 200 is rotated downward from above against the biasing force of the biasing member 210. Then, as shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the stopper 206 also rotates upward and rearward from below via the lever 204 pulled rearward. As a result, the stopper engaging portion 220 of the stopper 206 is disengaged from the link connection bar 18. In this state, if the chair 10 is lifted upward, for example, with the backrest 22 or the like, the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 are closed by the biasing force from the two-leg biasing member 252 of the two-leg biasing mechanism 250, and thereby the seat portion 16 rotates upward about the seat support bar 202 (see FIG. 21).

[0082] When the seat part 16 rotates upward about the seat support bar 202, as shown in the figure, the rear end of the lever 204 abuts against the reinforcing bar 21 (of course, it may abut against any other member of the chair 10). Further, when the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 are closed and the upward rotation of the seat part 16 proceeds, the lever 204 pushed by the reinforcing bar 21 rotates upward relative to the seat part 16 and returns to the state when the seat part 16 is in the horizontal state. When the link 208 returns above the lever rotation axis 212, the stopper 206 is pressed to rotate downward by the biasing force of the biasing member 210, and the lever 204 also rotates upward via the link 208 and returns to the position when the seat part 16 was in the horizontal state.

[0083] When the position of the lever 204 returns, the folding of the chair 10 is completed (see FIGS. 24 to 26).

[0084] To return the folded chair 10 to the "assembled state" again, the user opens the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 against the biasing force from the two-leg biasing mechanism 250. Then, accordingly, the front end of the seat part 16 is moved downward. When the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 are fully opened, the stopper engaging portion 220 of the stopper 206 provided on the bottom surface of the seat part 16 engages with the link connection bar 18, and the chair 10 returns to the "assembled state" again (see FIGS. 27 to 31).

[0085] Thus, according to the embodiment according to the fourth modification, the seat part 16 can be made rotatable by simply rotating downward the lever 204 protruding from the rear end of the seat part 16 without turning the hand on the bottom surface of the seat part 16.

[0086] Also, even if the hand is released from the lever 204 after making the seat part 16 rotatable, the lever 204 does not undesirably return to the original position (upward). Therefore, two-handed operations such as rotating the front end of the seat part 16 upward while operating the lever 204 are not required, and for example, even an elderly person can easily assemble and fold the chair 10.

[0087] Furthermore, since the lever 204 abuts against the reinforcing bar 21 and automatically returns to its original position while the front end of the seat part 16 is being rotated upward, there is no worry of forgetting to return the position of the lever 204.

[0088] According to the embodiment related to Modification 4, by simply moving the hand that operated the lever 204 protruding from the rear end of the seat part 16 straight upward, gripping the center part 35 of the backrest 22 or the backrest attachment part 34 of the chair 10, and then lifting the chair 10 upward, that is, by simply moving the hand straight upward, the chair 10 can be easily put into a folded state.

[0089] In addition, since the front legs 12 and the rear legs 14 are always biased in the closing direction by the bi-leg biasing mechanism 250, the distance between these two legs 12, 14 does not undesirably open.

[0090] Also, when the chair 10 is again put into the "assembled state", by simply opening the two legs 12, 14 against the biasing force of the bi-leg biasing mechanism 250, the front end of the seat part 16 rotates downward by its own weight, and the stopper engaging part 220 of the stopper 206 provided on the bottom surface of the seat part 16 engages with the link connection bar 18, so there is no need to manually rotate the front end of the seat part 16 downward.

[0091] Furthermore, for example, in the case of a chair or the like having a lever provided on the upper part of the backrest, operations such as folding the chair while gripping the lever become unnecessary. Also, there is no need to provide a through hole in the backrest to make it easier to grip the lever.

[0092] In the above-described Example 4, by rotating the lever 204 from above downward, the state where the stopper 206 engages with the link connection bar 18 could be released. However, instead of this, the link 208 may be set so that the stopper 206 is in a released state by rotating the lever 204 from below upward.

[0093] In the above-described Example 4, the seat portion 16 is rotatably attached to the rear legs 14, and the front end of the seat portion 16 jumps up when the chair 10 is folded. Instead of this, the seat portion 16 may be rotatably attached to the front legs 12 so that the rear end of the seat portion 16 jumps up when the chair 10 is folded.

[0094] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the claims, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are included.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0095] 10... Bathroom chair (chair), 12... Front legs, 14... Rear legs, 16... Seat portion, 18... Link connection bar, 20... Link bar, 21... Reinforcement bar, 22... Backrest, 24... Armrest, 26... Backrest support portion, 28... Horizontal portion, 30... Front leg portion, 32... Leg rubber (of front leg 12), 34... Backrest attachment portion, 35... Central portion (of backrest attachment portion 34), 36... Outer pipe (of front leg 12), 37... Gap, 38... Height adjustment hole (of front leg 12), 40... Inner pipe (of front leg 12), 42... Height adjustment pin (of front leg 12), 44... Seat support portion, 46... Rear leg portion, 48... Leg rubber (of rear leg 14), 50... Outer pipe (of rear leg 14), 52... Height adjustment hole (of rear leg 14), 54... Inner pipe (of rear leg 14), 56... Height adjustment pin (of rear leg 14), 58... Front leg side pivot hole, 60... Rear leg side pivot hole, 62... Pivot pin, 63... Front leg support portion, 64... Seat portion pivot pin, 65... Front leg support member, 66... Seat portion pivot hole, 68... Seat portion pivot pin hole, 70... Stopper, 72... Engaging claw, 78... Bracket, 80... Bracket plate material, 98... Armrest attachment portion, 108... Protrusion (of seat portion 16) 120... Frame, 122... Side cover, 124... Pivot support member, 126... Cover member 130... Elbow-mounted bracket, 132... Bracket cover, 134... Flat plate portion, 136... Clamping plate portion, 138... Shaft support member insertion hole, 140... Shaft support member insertion second hole, 142... Shaft support member fitting projection, 144... Inner edge (of cover member 126), 146... Recess, 148... Front end portion, 150... Minimum width portion, 152... Rear end portion, 160... Bent portion 200... Stopper mechanism, 202... Seat support bar, 203... Seat support bar insertion through hole, 204... Lever, 206... Stopper, 208... Link, 210... Biasing member, 211... Cover, 212... Lever rotation shaft, 214... Lever rotation shaft insertion through hole, 216... Stopper rotation shaft, 218... Stopper rotation shaft insertion through hole, 220... Stopper engagement portion 250... Two-leg biasing mechanism, 252... Two-leg biasing member, 254... Two-leg biasing member locking member, 256... Two-leg biasing member insertion member

Claims

Claim 1 A bathroom chair comprising a front leg, a rear leg, a seat on which a user sits, and a pair of armrests disposed on both sides of the seat in a top view, the pair of armrests having recesses that gently curve on the inner edges facing each other, the armrests being rotatable in the vertical direction from a horizontal position toward the rear, and having a front end portion that is the end portion in the direction the user sitting on the seat faces and a minimum width portion formed on the rear end side of the front end portion, the maximum inner dimension between the armrests in a top view being 320 mm or more, and the minimum width dimension of the armrests in a top view being 35 mm or less, the overall width dimension of the bathroom chair being 460 mm or less, the maximum inner dimension being the distance between the minimum width portions, in a top view, the seat having a width direction convex portion that gently curves with the width of the front portion being wider than the width of the rear portion, in a top view, the outer end of the width direction convex portion being in the same position as the minimum width portion A bathroom chair.

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